Summoning Forth Wiccan Gods And Goddesses: The Magick of Invocation and Evocation [Mass Market Paperback]

Maeve Rhea (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 20, 2000

In an easy-to-follow, step-by-step format, this book examines every aspect of invocation and evocation, including why to summon the gods and when; self-invocation vs. group invocation; and what to do if something goes wrong.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Citadel (June 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806520396
• ISBN-13: 978-0806520391
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,675,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for all new Wiccans, March 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Summoning Forth Wiccan Gods And Goddesses: The Magick of Invocation and Evocation (Mass Market Paperback)

Although Lady Maeve Rhea's book only contains 152 pages, including the "Suggested Reading" section, it's a small book that packs a big punch.

As a relatively new one to the Wiccan path, I found it informative and to the point, with enlightening passages on meditation, visualization, evocation and invocation. For those who are new to invocation and evocation, there is a simple explanation of what each entails and when each can be used - both as a group or as a solitary. Lady Rhea uses a personal one-on-one approach to the subject as she covers preparation, invocation, evocation and the subsequent pitfalls and possibilities one might encounter while attempting to "dance with Divinity."

Evocation is defined as forming a psychic space with a group of people in which a 'God-form' can manifest. On the other hand, invocation involves welcoming the 'God-form' into the circle itself so he/she can interact on an earthly plane. However, if you are new to both of these, you should read the entire book first before attempting either of these.

Readers first learn how to create a sacred space within themselves, as well as how to create a physical sacred space. There's also a chapter on "psychic first aid," should the need arise.

In the section on invocation, preparation and selection of an appropriate 'God-form' is discussed. The author stresses the importance of being completely knowledgeable before you invoke a particular 'God-form' (Isis, for instance), and making sure you have a good reason for invoking the 'God-form' in the first place.

Practice is stressed, along with an admonition that this is serious business, and not for those who would use the information for frivolous, nonsensical purposes.

Invocation of the Fourth Face is discussed in depth, as is the primary invoking ritual. In the following section on evocation, the author provides examples of two actual evocations, as well as an evocation of Divination (best done during a full moon) and an evocation of the Four Elements.

Finally, in the end section on pitfalls and possibilities, the author tackles many sensitive subjects, including She also touches upon how alcohol, drugs, sex and physical deprivation is thought to aid invocation and evocation.

If you are an all-out prude, you may want to skip these chapters; otherwise, they offer eye-opening, straightforward information that should be thoughtfully considered. Perhaps the most helpful part of this final section is the one on "Finding the Web of All Being." Simply put, this Web includes all things you can imagine - and those you cannot. It is the matrix of All.

The end message here is that we are all following our own unique paths of learning - and when all is said and done, no path is more advanced or more "important" than another's path. It's in this final chapter that the author's sincerity of purpose shines through with the most clarity.

For her part, she succeeds in bringing forth a sense of familiarity and good will in all readers who stumble onto her book. Indeed, although you may have never met this woman, by the end of the book, you'll feel as if you have been friends with her for a long time. And on second thought, who's to say you haven't?

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Class use, July 27, 2001

By 

Elizabeth (Lebanon, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Summoning Forth Wiccan Gods And Goddesses: The Magick of Invocation and Evocation (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read the other reviews and I am very disappointed in the ones who think that this is a bad book. This book has worked wonders for my 2nd circle students. This is one of the few books that i have found that actually get the reader ready with exercises to invoke.

I'm also impressed with the way that it covers Invoking and evoking. For students who have not been exposed to both concepts this book explains and gives exercises to get one ready for each. It gives them a basis of what to expect. I do, however agree that this book is not for beginners. I don't believe that beginners should be invoking period. I also must say that the feeling of invoking a deity is different for everyone. I do not go to another place. I am here but a presence has come within me, inside of me.

I was relieved to find someone who also saw deity the way that I do. nit to offend anyone who worships a Goddess because I do but Deity does NOT have a gender. I have read countless books that tell me that I can not inoke a male God because I am a female and that is ridiculous. I've been doing it for 14 years and it's never hurt me. There are many different Gods and Goddesses. The some Greek Gods are alot more feminine than some female Sumerian Goddesses so the difference isn't the gender, it is the person calling and who they are.

All in all I would definately suggest this book to anyone who has studied the basics of witchcraft and wishes to move on.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, solid book...with one flaw, March 3, 2001

By 

J. French "93 93/93" (Oakland, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Summoning Forth Wiccan Gods And Goddesses: The Magick of Invocation and Evocation (Mass Market Paperback)

"Summoning forth the Wiccan Gods and Goddesses" is a solid manual for doing just that. A large portion of the book is made up of psychic preperation for the actual rituals. This is important, since the technique described here involves actual communication with dieties, which requires a psyche that is both unfettered by old traumas and open to the Universe. Common sense and experience permeate the work, as does the assumtion that all people have the right to directly communicate with the dieties. That being said, it is unfortunate to have to point out this book's major flaw. An intolerance of other religions, and a refusal to evaluate them outside of the author's framework, creeps through this book and adds to it a combative undertone that is totally inappropriate. The main point of her criticism of other faiths is that they deny the sacredness of the flesh, and that many of the world's holy books constitute "viscious, world hating manifestos". To properly evaluate the attitude of the "major" religions toward the mundane world would require a book of its own. With many, especially the myriad religions lumped under the classification of "Hinduism", the question is far from a simple either-or proposition. In any case, the book is about how to summon Wiccan dieties, not the benefits of yoga or lack thereof. As an adjucnt to the above objection, the author states quite unequivacably that "Ceremonial (Enochian) Magick doesn't work". First, the terms "Ceremonial" and "Enochian" Magick are not interchangeable. Enochian Magick is a very difficult, somewhat dangerous, form of magick which falls under the umbrella of Ceremonial Magick, but is by no means the only variety. Again, the topic is far too intricate to get into its finer points here. It should be stated, however, that the author presents very little evidence for her thesis other than a very bad experience with a con-artist posing as a real Magus. As for the argument against such feats of metaphysical athleticism as "invisibility" I would encourage any interested to seek out the Rose Cross Ritual, which does indeed confer a species of invisibility when performed correctly. Even with this flaw, this is a very good book. The irony is that the beginning work for the techniques described seems to inavdertantly follow the advice of a renowned Ceremonial Magician. Israel Regardie, a student of Crowley himself, suggested that anyone interested in Magick should undergo a program of psychotherapy before embarking on the path. The intent of psychotherapy is precisely the intent of the poppet exercise: to release old trauma and become a healthier participant in life. There is much to learn from this book, and it would be unfortunate to miss out on its benefits because its occaisionally antagonistic tone. Perhaps, in future edtions, such comments and biases could be editited out. Until then, brace yourself and read with an eye for the diamond in the rough that this book has to offer.